Iris and some Irids 2006-2007

[Lesley Cox]

All the named forms are well worth growing but if they set seed, try that too as you get some amazing and very lovely variations of colour, veining etc. Can't be called by the parent's name of course.

[David Nicholson]

For no reason other than that I think it looks sublime here is a picture of a Dutch Iris in my garden today and I intend to have lots more of them next year.

[mark smyth]

I think there is a bit of plant snobbery with the Dutch Iris but I like them.

Here's 'Raspberry Ripple' with only 4 petals

and one that Lesley corrected me on last year and now I cant remember if I changed the labels
and dwarf bearded 'Bright Button'

[Lesley Cox]

A form of Iris setosa Mark, which, depends on how tall it is.

Now that's a REALLY good atavar pic but still, perhaps not just quite like you. Sorry I'm so hard to please

[mark smyth]

Maggi did it!

The Iris is about 12 inches / 30cm

[Anthony Darby]

What is it? Looks like it should belong to Easter Island?

[mark smyth]

one of Ian's pieces I would think

[David Nicholson]

Now that's a REALLY good atavar pic but still, perhaps not just quite like you. Sorry I'm so hard to please

I'm with you Lesley, bring back the proper Mark I say!!

[mark smyth]

what! there are no frown lines, nice smile but toothless what else!?

[David Nicholson]

Makes you look older than me and you can give me at least 20 years!!

[Lesley Cox]

Iris setosa v. hookeri then Mark, or perhaps more correctly called v. canadensis, also nana, and assorted other names. You could go for setosa low-growing form Nine times out of 10 this will turn up under seed listed as I. hookeriana, which is quite different, as here, and much rarer.

[David Nicholson]

Whilst on my visit to friends in Norfolk last week I called in at Hythe Alpines and, as usual, spent a fortune on a wide variety of plants. Amongst them was a little Iris attica that I intend to grow under glass but I need a bit of advice please. I usually re-pot all plants I buy before I put them in the greenhouse but, should I re-pot this one? If so I would be thinking of a JI No 3 mix with plenty of added grit and perhaps a handfull of peat for added humus-would that be OK? Does it need to be dry over the Summer? When should I start watering? Oh! and anything else I should be aware of

[Lesley Cox]

David, Iris attica is a delight and I'm sure you will enjoy it. But do you have a good reason to grow it under glass? It would be happiest out in a rock garden or potted outdoors if you want to show it, then brought under cover perhaps as the buds develop.

[Lesley Cox]

I'm replying in 3 parts as for some reason I'm unable to do it in one. Told my session has timed out and to re-submit but when I do that it disappears altogether.

Repot if the compost you have already is peaty or very humusy. Of all plants, bearded irises dislike humus in their compost, so PLEASE DON'T add peat. Rather a good dressing of lime would make it happier. Otherwise, good drainage is best and grit added will be helpful. My feeling would be to go for a compost with at least some regular garden soil in it if you are determined to pot it.

[Lesley Cox]

A potential problem to watch out for (and it will be MUCH WORSE under glass) is a possible infestation of greenfly or aphis which breed and multiply rapidly at the bases of the leaves, where they separate as they emerge from the rhizome. They will spread virus and debilitate the plant quickly but are almost invisible way down there unless you look for them. If you grow it under glass, give it a regular squirt with a systemic insecticide.

The plant shouldn't need drying out completely like an oncocyclus species, but be very careful not to over water after flowering, until autumn when it will be starting into fresh growth. Dividing is best done when flowering finishes. Trimming away any dead foliage also helps to keep greenfly at bay and stop fungus diseases spreading.